Surry man arrested, charged with aggravated trafficking in cocaine

ELLSWORTH, Maine — A Surry man was arrested Sunday afternoon in Ellsworth and charged with aggravated trafficking in cocaine.

Mark Briggs, 54, was picked up by agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency following an investigation that started several months ago, according to MDEA.

Acting on tips that Briggs has been selling cocaine in Hancock County and was traveling out of state to resupply, MDEA agents followed Briggs on Saturday as he left Maine and and tracked him when he returned Sunday, the MDEA reported Monday on its Facebook page.

MDEA agents as well as members of the Ellsworth Police Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office stopped Briggs’ 2007 Cadillac around 1 p.m. Sunday on Route 1A in Ellsworth, and searched the vehicle.

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The MDEA reported that agents found a vacuum sealed container in the trunk containing nearly a half pound of cocaine, with a street value of $17,000. Agents then executed a search warrant at Briggs’ home at 441 Morgan’s Bay Road, where they found an additional 11 grams of cocaine, packaged for retail sale, and $10,000 in cash, according to the Facebook entry.

The trafficking charge was elevated to aggravated trafficking because of the amount of cocaine seized. If convicted, Briggs faces a minimum four year prison term.

When arrested, Briggs was free on post-conviction bail on a charge of operating under the influence. He is currently free again after posting $5,000 cash bail on Monday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear in Hancock County Superior Court on May 23. This case is being prosecuted by the Maine Office of the Attorney General.

Drug crimes may be reported to MDEA at 800-452-6457, at the MDEA website at www.maine.gov/dps/mdea or at MDEA’s MyPD smartphone application for iPhone and Android.